Eat Bitter: Striving for a better life in the Central African Republic - BBC Africa Eye documentary

In the Central African Republic, one of Africa’s poorest countries, local sand diver Thomas Boa and Chinese construction manager Jianmin Luan struggle to improve their fortunes. They “eat bitter” today in the hope of a better tomorrow, but with no guarantees of what their futures may hold.
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Credits:
Directed by - Pascale Appora-Gnekindy, Ningyi Sun
Producer - Mathieu Faure
Writers - Mathieu Faure, Ningyi Sun, Pascale Appora-Gnekindy
Executive Producers - Mathieu Faure, Steve Dorst
Co-producers - Ningyi Sun, Pascale Appora-Gnekindy, Orphée Zaza Emmanuel Bamoy
Director of Photography - Orphée Zaza Emmanuel Bamoy
Sound Engineer - Aaron Koyassoukpengo
Film Editors - Hannah Choe, Mathieu Faure
For the BBC:
Africa Eye Editor - Tom Watson
Head of Longform and Investigations - Liz Gibbons
Film Editor - Dickon Le Marchant
Executive Producers - Peter Murimi, Dickon Le Marchant
Online Editor - Chris Stott
Colourist - Boyd Nagle
Sound Mixer - Jez Spencer
Reversioning Producer - Anna Payton
Digital Producer - Tamasin Ford
Social Media Producer - Anusha Kumar
Production Manager - Simon Frost
Production Coordinator - Sarah Clarke
***
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Website: www.bbc.com/africa
Facebook: / bbcnewsafrica
Twitter: / bbcafrica
Instagram: / bbcafrica
#CentralAfricanRepublic #Documentary #Migrants #CAR #AfricaNews

[@BBCAfrica]

Click here to subscribe to our channel 👉🏽 bit.ly/subscribetoafrica

[@dimakatsodavid6696]

These men work so hard to feed their families they are the real heroes..

[@BBCAfrica]

💯

[@laurymakesaway6695]

This is what men do

[@jabuntuli7415]

Real heroes when these poor people are being robbed in daylight. Seriously😢? Just shows how human rule will never solve the problems in this world.

[@joegibbs448]

These men work so hard to feed their families they are the real heroes ?. Maybe they are . But they are being exploited by the Chinese boss.

[@user-hb5xe7ql1o]

It should be equal because they work same

[@Syndicate_official]

The way that guy threw that sand back into the river 😭😡, after the guy spends so much time underwater fetching that sand..life is sure painfull

[@ntsika777]

Unlike many African stories, this ended well. I wish all the best to these hard working man!

[@ucan1]

I am leaving this comment here so that after some hours, days, weeks, months or years when someone likes or comment on it, I will be reminded to watch this video again

[@susanwaweru2734]

Even though the africans dont have money...even in deep struggle you cant beat their happiness!!!

[@4kmoviesandtrailers67]

Despite the hardship, the resilient men keep on grinding and providing the least they can afford for their families. Kudos!

[@Yvopowerfitness]

May God help these young mens putting their lives on the line, just to be able to feed their families. This documentary made me appreciate what i have and where i am at.

[@BBCAfrica]

Thank you for watching and sharing. 🙏

[@deobiho]

If you speak chinese and hear what that Chinese man was talking about,you will get heart attack. His mouth is full of insults to Africans

[@manofjinjacity]

" on this earth, you must struggle to survive" what a powerful message!!

[@brianchileshe1801]

I felt that from the chinese guy. “Its better to work here than in China, here i can be a manager “ in a couple of years to come am going back home man to be a boss.

[@bosirejoseph9026]

That young man is very hardworking. Always Appreciate what you have. I fear how his mum is sick at home not gone to hospital for treatment. I feel sad. I wish him a good life. I also wish her mum speedy recovery. Africans lets support and love each other.

[@limaroleonard8752]

First of all. There is no safety precautions taken here while working at heights. No safety belts, no safety shoes,no helmet,no gloves. Absurd.

[@yoveeditors5502]

They're poor where will they get that gear from? Sometimes comments made here are so stupid

[@adjoahelene9203]

Your comment is rather stupid because it's the responsibility of the site manager to provide those safety gears and not the workers. And because their hands are sealed it's either you work with all the risks or you will not eat

[@musasani4345]

You have missed the opening prayer from the beginning.

[@Flower-ck2bs]

@@yoveeditors5502You comment is really stupid. It is the managers responsibility!

[@LetsTravelhannel]

​@@adjoahelene9203 the manager said he gave them shoes and helmet but they show up to work without them

[@goodhealthgoodlife1994]

Happy the guy ended up buying a new canoe for himself and RIP for the one who lost his life

[@chikauzoekwe3086]

Why didn't we get to see the journalist who did this amazing job. Thank you BBC. I didn't want to pause the video for one bit

[@bonfacewachira3297]

So the Chinese man has never held his birthday in china ,his first birthday celebration was in Central Africa,after making money in Africa.. Africa is indeed not poor 😮😮😮

[@dionysiostyranofsyracuse2031]

as always, bbc deliver more than expected! this is pure journalism

[@edmundmawlong9116]

A Chinese man in Africa as a manager back in his hometown he is nothing but a hawker,even if he is doing construction work he will be just a helper,common African youth wake up you are better than him.

[@lenniefei6710]

Same thing with European when they came around

[@LetsTravelhannel]

I don't see any problem with him managing these sites though. The young men are also getting experience. Plus he seems like a good boss. Enjoyed their parties whenever there was something to celebrate. Not seen that in the USA

[@doreenasiimwe]

His starting song had me crying like a child 😢

[@SWiseman]

Even the business of sand is controlled by the Chinese. You mean to tell me a group of African men couldn't get together to start a sand dredging business? 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@earlenehouse1923]

FACTS ♥️🇺🇸

[@lotus9259]

How could they, when their government has rendered them useless.

[@kkoke9347]

African men can't be bothered. They just want someone else to do it.

[@grandmastersexy]

I think it's more psychological than that.

[@gudbifariinta3958]

​@earlenehouse1923 Africans with the money do not show up for business for fear of witchcraft. They can hoard their money and blend in the poor or they live in isolation with their billions

[@t.r.m1698]

The story ends on a positive note, but unfortunately, the cycle of war is continuous on the Central African Republic and everyone has to start again from scratch.

[@cho_ny201]

West sponsored wars

[@Stirlingshirecastle]

​@@cho_ny201 Which West is sponsoring the war in CAR?

[@georgeikinya2779]

What I see here , disturbs me to the core. This is slavery in disguise, utter exploitation. Africa leaders, when will we ever get our acts right?

[@keishapittman6202]

And to make matters worse, they’re destroying their land and the Chinese people don’t even like them!

[@abdirahmansheikhhussein1424]

lesson to learn: Always appreciate the little that God gave you ...with hardwork and patience you can make it in life great documentary

[@adetokunbothaboobasa5774]

Can I ask why are the projects conducted by the Chinese in an African country

[@lenniefei6710]

Many projects have been conducted by Western European but u had no problem with that!

[@allanlubowa4788]

During the days of FRENCH and BRITISH colonial occupation it was western companies now its the CHINESE companies that are willing to get into most AFRICAN countries,plus the CHINESE government extends loans with minimal fuss. In ANGOLA,ZAMBIA,KENYA,TANZANIA, SENEGAL,GHANA,ETHIOPIA etc most critical infrastructure has been built by CHINESE COMPANIES

[@earlenehouse1923]

❤❤ I loved it these hard working guys are so talented ❤❤ I love my AFRICA FAMILIES over there ❤️🫶🏼♥️♥️🫶🏼❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💋💋 BEAUTIFUL God Blessed them my mother land🫶🏼♥️🫶🏼🙌♥️🫶🏼♥️🫶🏼💋💋🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@empirecreators3488]

Thanks

[@samanthahenry6904]

Amazing documentary ! Thank you :)

[@moseswandera928]

This is my DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR.I am greatly motivated by Thomas' courage,hard work,persistence,faith in himself and the love for his faamily.Above all i like his faith in God.He puts God before his work.Thank you BBC AFRICA EYE .This is eye opening.Almost forgot this Chinese manager.He is social and loving.This is a wow of a documentary.

[@farhanatoerien3437]

Thomas is a real superhero. Courage and prosperity to him And his family. Please Allah let this suffering end 🤲🏾🤲🏾

[@agentle7]

Thank you. This was a really good show. I really enjoyed watching.

[@BBCAfrica]

Thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@Flower-ck2bs]

This is not a show and it is not funny.

[@empirecreators3488]

This is CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC THE TWIN MOTHER HEART OF AFRICA 🌍

[@stephenchiname8975]

Top-notch documentary kudos BBC Africa

[@LetsTravelhannel]

Hard work and also good vibes from both the Chinese and Africans. They seem to appreciate their collaboration and like to party and involve everyone. Teamwork. Shout out to the star of the documentary - good father, son, worker. So happy he bought himself a canoe in the end - that's progress. Thanks to the rest of the participants.

[@user-mg8yv6fo6x]

It's a good thing we keep our leaders in kenya on toes , otherwise it would have been worse with corruption like in the central Replublic

[@adjoahelene9203]

Good for you

[@giftndori9362]

Life inside our Continent 🌍🫡

[@Heseesme101]

how much is the canoe and is there a go fund me pls let me know thanks

[@Skincareworldwide]

From how they were negotiating it's $120. I don't think he has a go fund me

[@b.alejandres8230]

great filming i enjoy it like no other in a while

[@Mo-fi4fv]

What an amazing documentary. Well done.

[@MapaloYuzya_1508]

In this world you must struggle to survive....To be able to live a good life

[@shelbynamels7948]

nothing says i'm a safety-minded professional like flip-flops on a construction site.

[@isaacnewton1516]

This guy has a very nice voice he can be a very good musician

[@husseintumusime7647]

Thank BBC for such a refreshing documentary, it's remind us not be lazy and not always taking things for granted ❤.

[@user-hm5cb8rj8y]

Some of this guys come to Africa with less than 1k usd and they are being worship and see as investors whereas some of us go to their country with millionaires and being treated like trash

[@missbecky-jh7kd]

i wish Boa all the best

[@user-hm5cb8rj8y]

A dwarf becomes a king in the land of the blind

[@JohnMaboko]

Beautiful piece.

[@pharaohraheemangelofdeath]

Chinese couples are like kids even at old age😂😂😂😂😂

[@melissascott5490]

Very reflective human piece as the Central African Native and the Chinese immigrant reality is totally different

[@锐闵-j6y]

Heal the world Make it a better place For you and for me and the entire human race

[@BlackPantherrStudios]

Africa 🌍 🇧🇯🖤 is the greatest. Great video.

[@TheSirobed]

Seems the Chinese man's wife complains alot

[@MaxAlternative]

🤣. People observe different things while watching the same thing.

[@mrsgolden6526]

Because he doesn't listen🤣

[@MaxAlternative]

@@mrsgolden6526 , I actually had to ask someone about this. I was told that it is a thing in Chinese culture and most women tend to talk like that. Could this be the case?

[@mrsgolden6526]

@@MaxAlternative that's probably a natural development once you've been together for such a long time I've seen this in many cultures in couples that were together for a certain number of years where the wife is always scolding the husband but the husband never listens which in turn leads the wife to scold him even more 🤣

[@MaxAlternative]

@@mrsgolden6526 , craaaazy. Marriage is not for the faint hearted. It requires emotional strength.

[@Slayr929]

Locals citizen are suffering while chinees are making tonne of money real situation in Cmafrica 🙏🙏🙏

[@Freedom20255]

They have to learn to build corporations and save money to get themselves out of that situation. My friend told me he wanted to start micro finance bank to help people in ministry. I told him gather 10-20 people save for a year together. You take that money buy one taxi it will give you another taxi through profit. In 2 years you would own two taxi’s those taxis will pay everyone that contribute salary. He doesn’t want to do it that way. Often times they just want money to consume.. sorry to say!

[@Slayr929]

@@Freedom20255 government level corruption one of the factor for these problems and another factor people are divided on tribal ethnic divisions trillions of dollars of mineral natural resources bt it helping forigen nations

[@Freedom20255]

@@Slayr929 It’s sad! But as Africans we need to take responsibility. No one is coming to save us!

[@Flower-ck2bs]

@@Freedom20255yes, det must consume money on food, medicines, transportation, school for children. It is not so easy to save something. I Wonder if you talk from your life experience that is totally different.

[@MaxAlternative]

That is how capitalism is.

[@user-jv3gf3em5b]

The Chinese are resilient and intelligent 😊......

[@curlieeloks3032]

You obviously put this comment here to troll ..

[@juliatripp2010]

This was a very interesting documentary. I have come to love African people even tho most I"ll never meet. They are beautiful.... their struggle? Their humble circumstances, their genetics, everything ❤

[@LetsTravelhannel]

Thank you!

[@lenniefei6710]

People should familiarize themselves with the post colonial history of CAR before commenting on bulshit here ?! These people have been gone thru lots of turbulence, wars, and challenges brought by external forces.......Give them a slack!

[@mariambaraka3353]

Which companies do they send those materials to?

[@Legendary8170]

$250,000 for a canoe ☹️🛶

[@RIGHT_p]

Wtf are these terrible comments

[@jieli3313]

What is the legal basis for the prohibition of evaluation and speech among the people in China? Are you administering according to law or violating the law?

[@alexmwangi5913]

What is the title of the song at the end of the documentary

[@wendelleddiebrewerlll]

Why not just stop sabotaging the place

[@user-mg8yv6fo6x]

🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️I also just wonder

[@mariambaraka3353]

What do you mean?

[@moseswandera928]

By the way how can i access his songs.I want to promote him.

[@user-nz5dh6qq5x]

Dont worry my fellow Africans we're almost there

[@Flower-ck2bs]

Where?

[@user-nz5dh6qq5x]

@Flower-ck2bs the first will become the last and the last the first

[@francoiswatson3484]

I wish this could be done with a narrator like some of the other bbc eye africa videos because the closed caption translation writing is too light to read

[@yoveeditors5502]

Aren't they damaging the river bed?

[@musasani4345]

From your side of view. You can't believe how many by-products of damages done, you are enjoying.

[@eders65410]

No. They are not damaging. They are actually doing good, removing silt from the river

[@nomakhwezizitha5421]

The name of the song at the end?❤

[@futurefarms3440]

One of the Wealthiest Countries on Earth in terms of Resources yet one of the Poorest...only 5 to Six Million people in an area the Size of Texas...But because of France the Country is left to languish in dire Poverty... Central Africa Republic has Gold..oil.. diamonds.. Uranium.Timber. fertile Soil..Rain fall..but because of Racist Policies the Place is keot isolated and poor

[@SusanDianeHowell]

Like Mexico. So this is not the poorest country?

[@monroviaboy8574]

I think the end of the documentary with the music said it all. It’s asked “why are Central Africans like that.” This documentary showed an unregulated society . It also showed how terrible our leaders are. The president and officials only came during the opening of the bank for photo opportunities.

[@frankwilliams9413]

Where can i get the song please.

[@alainbelanger9852]

In what language is the Chinese foreman / boss speaking to them?

[@bonfacewachira3297]

Lingala

[@StayFocused-ss5sp]

The locals work slowly but we Chinese are very fast well chilling in the work whole time 🤡

[@ceciliarichu3048]

how much is canoe

[@BrownSugar321]

This embarrassing to watch..

[@lutendonybah3325]

Who knows the tittle of the song at the end?please help i want it

[@user-uw2qw4yi7m]

9:56 knowledge is power, And common sense approach, Will make a lot of difference , if they can just use a common sense, They don't have to do, All this, Political incorrectness leaders, with their game, By Setting Tribalism war violence, Otherwise,We have everything here, That , Will be enough for everyone, in the Central African Republic,

[@todymanyeah449]

Im working with Chinese they are nice people

[@ilovemyfamilyandmumanddadandsi]

allah created us all beutifull and equal

[@sijisiji8100]

An unqualified Chinese man is a manager in Africa hence there are lots of safety failures. And because those guys don't know better, they decided to work under a situation that jeopardizes their physical health.

[@mariambaraka3353]

Bingo!

[@mariambaraka3353]

What should they do in this case? The workers that is?

[@khas5356]

Africa is not poor

[@ofentselebethe1581]

JESUS IS KING.

[@lotus9259]

I am alarmed of the fact that, despite extreme poverty, they procreate as if they have trust funds. SMH

[@dennismongare6352]

Does it mean it's only when you become a billionaire is when you have kids, some of this people regard their kids as assets to help them at work and for chances of survival bcoz of diseases having a good number of kids is best.... imagine having one kid but later dies ending your family tree. Sometime argue from point of understanding not on your basics of your knowledge

[@slimj0025]

Firstly sex is the only stress reliever that they gave - there is no cinema, picnic, going to the beach, etc to take their struggles 2. Sexual and reproductive health information is scarce in high poverty communities - there are limited or no contraceptives or sexual health information or products available 3. Child birth is an economic factor for family living in poverty - the more kids you have the greater your chances to improve your economic condition - more hands to make work light, mores hands to work on the farm etc.. 4. America, China etc was like this couple of century of decades ago - things can when they went down the industrial route, they made sure production, land, capitalise and Human Resources is industrialised - therefore finding innovative ways to increase production. All we need in Africa is the vision from our economic and political elite

[@mariambaraka3353]

Poverty and random sex is dangerous. Oh, lack of education counts too.

[@absmith6237]

Londanistan under Mr Khunt !

[@ani.d4932]

Well, if there's a God (any religion)...why the extreme poverty exist?

[@nicolewhitley3640]

because you exist

[@Reed77779]

Sad

[@andrey_the_gypsy8489]

Since when can u believe or trust bbc,. 9n

[@jeffbland3635]

CHINESE SCREWING THE WORLD

[@earlenehouse1923]

FACTS ♥️🫶🏼🇺🇸

[@RIGHT_p]

How is it the Chinese faults

[@Slayr929]

​@@RIGHT_ptrue it's Africans fault 🙏

[@nicolewhitley3640]

@@RIGHT_p do you realize Chinese look at blacks

[@bobekvelky4129]

USA regime of imperialism screwing the world

[@khadeejarahman8372]

Oh another interesting Documentary on People, Places, Cultures and ways of surviving through countless obstacles! A very Constructive Construction Video, indeed and pray that all of the hardwork, Sacrifices, Prayers doesn't go in vain(Amen/Ameen)! Cien!Merci beaucoup, Bon Travaille et Bon Chance! Aurevoiir! Khadeeja (Alghali-Rahman)👍💪😭🤣🥳🎉🕴️🎥🐓🦃🐌🦌🦋🦗🐡👁️🐄🐔🕊️🐑⚓🐾❤️🌴🏞️🦕🐉🐊🦖🐢🤼⭐🏜️🌈🏖️🌜🌛

[@temansem1936]

This is exactly what President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah the pioneering leader of Ghana's independence movement, wrote in his significant book titled "Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism." In this work, Nkrumah provides a compelling analysis of the persisting grip of colonial powers on the economic and political structures of newly emancipated African nations. He defines "neo-colonialism" as a condition where a state appears to be nominally independent, yet its economic and political system remains controlled by outside forces, specifically Western monopoly capital. Now like the Western powers, China is taking advantage of this same idea to rob the African continent dry.